As Villanova basketball marches toward a potential 29-2 regular season and possible No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament, the latest national rankings have given the Wildcats some added recognition.
In the most recent AP Top 25 poll, released Monday, the Wildcats moved up two slots to No. 4.
The Wildcats picked up a pair of high-profile Big East wins last week, both over likely entrants into the tournament field.
On Tuesday, Villanova dispatched then-No. 25 Providence, 89-61. Guard Darrun Hilliard celebrated Senior Night in style, scoring 24 points and adding four steals.
A Saturday matchup with Xavier on the road ended with the Wildcats' 10th consecutive win. Four different Villanova players scored in double figures.
Analysts are starting to buy into the notion of Villanova as a top seed. In Joe Lunardi's most recent bracket projection, the Wildcats are the No. 1 seed in the West region.
DeAndre Bembry named Big 5 Player of the Week again
St. Joe's forward DeAndre' Bembry was named Big 5 Player of the Week on Monday, claiming the honor for the third time this season.
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The sophomore scored 33 points in an 82-71 win over Umass last Wednesday, his best scoring effort of the season.
Though he was held to just six points — his second-lowest total of the season — in a 63-57 loss to Richmond three days later, Bembry still finished with weekly averages of 19.5 points and 13 rebounds.
Bembry is the leading scorer in the Atlantic-10 (18 points overall, 20 points in conference games) and ranks second in the nation in minutes played (38.7).
Despite Bembry's explosion, the Hawks will likely see their season end without a postseason bid. St. Joe's is 12-16 and has only one home game left, a matchup against Big 5 rival La Salle on Wednesday.